Magnatone G-70 Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1955), ser. #51321, original tweed hard shell case.

Magnatone G-70 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1955), made in California, serial # 51321, grey pearloid finish, hardwood body, original tweed hard shell case.

This sleek dark Pearloid-covered steel is a great-sounding instrument from the era when Magnatone hired Paul Bigsby to help create their professional designs, resulting in some excellent steel and Spanish guitars. The pickup in this G-70 is basically the same unit used in the Mark III, Mark IV and Mark V Spanish guitars and is generally considered the best in Magnatone's history. The "Saf-Ti-Slot' Kluson tuner strips and Clarostat pots are the same parts Fender used in this era, these last ink-stamped to the 40th week of 1955. This is a cool and fairly rare piece of Magnatone's California history, and a much better sounding steel than their familiar far more common student models.

Overall length is 31 5/8 in. (80.3 cm.), 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).

This steel is very nice overall with only very light wear and remains all original. There is no damage or repair and this very good sounding steel is complete in the original HSC, more battered than the guitar but fully functional. Excellent Condition.